Live Well, Laugh Often, Love Much

In the last few weeks I have had the opportunity to meet a lot of new people, out of the 20+ people one or two have been somewhat familiar.

As I have been introduced to them and gotten acquainted, I have on occasion run into a few at the grocery store or walking into Target. I am delighted with the recognition of a new friend. I began wondering how many of them have always been there, right beside me and because I had not been introduced to them I missed seeing them.

I know I have done that with God — I remember demanding answers from Him as to where He had been in my life? It took someone willing to introduce Him to me and showing me how to develop a relationship with Him, that I learnt to recognize Him. Since then I have been given opportunity to see He has always been standing there, I just hadn’t been introduced to Him.  As I have come to know Him, I see Him everywhere.

I know people are all around me everyday, friends yet to be met, relationships waiting to be formed.

I want to be introduced to you — I want to see you.

I also want to introduce you to Jesus, maybe you are asking where He has been in your life. Believe me He is there, the introduction and seeking to start a relationship with Him will give you the  opportunity to recognize Him —everywhere.

I read this quote one day and it sparked a hummm in my soul, I don’t remember who said it; “When you love someone you want to give them your friends.” I want to give Jesus to you and to give you to Jesus, because I love Jesus and I love you.

Let Me introduce you to my dear friend.

My friend has two creative and delightful children, she was telling me a couple of weeks ago about planting Hydrangeas with her daughter. They had been taking care of the plants together each morning, carefully obeying the instructions they were given from the nursery. The plants were blooming and thriving from the TLC the little girl was giving them by spritzing each day with RO filtered water. Mom had been watering with RO water after being told Lubbock water is too harsh for such tender plants.

After a couple of weeks brother decided to water the yard and plants with the hose in the front yard. Mom instructed him to be careful and NOT water the Hydrangeas with the hose. In his excitement and efforts to water the plants well he watered the Hydrangeas. Within a couple of days the blooms dried and wilted and the leaves withered. Little sister was heartbroken and angry at Mom, asking her why she had let brother water the plants. Mom assured her that she had informed brother NOT to water with the hose. Sister was heartbroken feeling like HER plants had been destroyed.

Mom and I meet each week to talk and share life, we were leaving her house when she told me about the Hydrangeas. We had just been discussing how hard it is to trust God when HE doesn’t prevent bad things from happening.

As she related the story about the flowers and how sister had been angry at her for big brothers choice. I thought what a great lesson from her children. We too blame God for our lack of obedience. The little girl had done everything to obey the instructions given and yet she was the most hurt and saddened by the loss of the plants because of Brother’s disobedience.

How often do my choices not to listen and obey God’s instructions for life cause more harm to others than it hurts me?

Have you been hurt by someone Else’s choice to not listen and obey God’s instructions for life?

When we get hurt or disappointed do we blame God for the choices they made?

He is talking, are we listening to His instructions or do we think we can do it our way?

Like the Hydrangeas, with some TLC, time and attentive obedient care to the instuctions they can be restored to beauty. We have to join God in obedience to His instructions, with time and lots of TLC, we too get to participate with Him in bringing beauty and healing back to our family, friends, and the earth He has given us charge over.

Restoring that which was lost,

Tanya